“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
January 18, 2009
Confirmation
The psalm tells us that God knows us intimately, even from before our birth. God also knew Samuel, calling him to be a prophet in Israel. Jesus recognized in Nathanael a person of integrity and promise. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are to respect each other as persons created by God. God knows and cares for each of us.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: In the celebrations of life, and in the inspirations of the heart, we are nurtured and uplifted.
All: Let us gather to seek new life, to welcome renewed vision, to find new hope.
With different gifts, with a variety of talents, with an array of interests, we join together this day. We are here to unite our spirits, to be merged in hope as followers of Jesus. May our differences be blessed, that the unique gifts and perceptions of each may strengthen our oneness. Amen.
Hymn #567 “Will You Come and Follow Me”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Once again, we come to encounter that which we know as Holy—to hear its promise in healing words of hope, to find it in the healing presence of community, to sing its power into healing songs of praise. Once again, for we have been here before, sought and felt that holy healing in our hearts yet failed to notice that what we really lacked was wholeness—a gift much deeper, yet as present as our need. Once again, we come to learn. May we understand the difference between healing and wholeness. May we see how it is that we must be changed, and not just healed. May we see that so much more is set before us than we ever think we need. We pray as those who hear and speak words of hope, and seek to live them.
…(time for silent reflection) – Gretta Vosper
Words of Assurance (One)
We are known fully, loved unconditionally, forgiven absolutely. Amen.
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: from the Christian Scriptures, John 1:43-51 & from the Epistles 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
Hymn #509 “I, The Lord of Sea and Sky”
(During the singing of this hymn – those sharing in the service of Confirmation please join on the Chancel.)
Confirmands: Kara Anton
Stacey Oster
Dawn Skogen
The Promises: James
One: Kara, Stacey, and Dawn, desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, I ask you before God and this congregation: Do you profess anew your faith in God your Creator, in Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, and in the Holy Spirit, God with us?
Answer: I do.
One: Do you declare your intention to continue with the people of Westminster United Church as we seek the presence of God among us through worship, study and prayer?
Answer: I do, God being my helper.
One: Do you now express your hope to continue in the life and work of this church as you support it with your gifts and share in its mission to all people?
Answer: I do, God being my helper.
One: Will you endeavour daily to respond to God’s love, to seek God’s will, and to fulfill your Christian calling and ministry in the world?
Answer: I will, God being my helper.
Confirmation: (Laying on of hands)
_________ the power of the Holy Spirit work within you, that being born of water and the Spirit, you may continue to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Commissioning:
Go into the world in the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill your high calling as a servant and minister of Jesus Christ.
Welcoming:
In the name of Jesus Christ, we welcome you to the privileges and responsibilities of membership in Westminster Congregation.
Congregation: As God has called us, we pledge to you our friendship, our help, and our prayers.
When the Confirmation has been celebrated.
One: Let us pray:
All: Teach us, God to serve You as You deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to be spiritually vulnerable for you,
to be willing to “be” as well as willing to “do”,
to give gifts of our being without seeking a reward,
save that of knowing that we walk in your presence,
through Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. Amen
The Distribution of Certificates, Gifts & Bibles
We Respond In Giving and Gratitude
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication (One)
May these offerings which enliven this community of faith here and far from here be blessed. Amen.
Hymn #649 “Walk With Me”
Commissioning (One)
May the Source who has called us dream in us a lifetime of adventures. May that call stretch before our horizons yet to be explored. And may we know the embrace of the One who calls us into life.
Choral Amen
Hymn #424 “May the God of Hope Go with Us” vs 1
May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace, singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that's new, faithful when we hear Christ's call.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (January 18 – January 24)
|
Sun. |
Trustees |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom Room |
|
|
Confirmation |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (January 25 – January 31)
|
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship – M & O Service |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Sings |
|
|
|
|
Annual Potluck Meeting |
|
Mem. Hall |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. Prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.)
We are in need of ushers, greeters and coffee hosts. If you can make a commitment, please volunteer your time on the sign-up sheets by Memorial Hall.
The Journey Through Grief – A Drop-in Program Starts January 7th until May 13th 2009. For more information, please see bulletin boards.
Your 2009 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $14.00. When you pick up your envelopes, please confirm the 2009 number is the same as number you had in 2008. Please destroy your old unused 2008 envelopes. Thanks for your cooperation. ~ Murray Bell.
PAR Subscribers—Or anyone in the congregation, if you wish to receive THE OBSERVER magazine, please pick up a donation envelope in the Narthex.
Unisphere Global Resource Centre invites you to hear Andrea Evans speaking of her experiences in Ethiopia last fall, 7:00 p.m. January 21st 2009 at the Unisphere office.
On January 25th, the Sunday school children will be participating in a presentation put on by the Mywasin Center on the Metis culture and will be learning a dance. It is about an hour long so we ask that the parents give their children an opportunity to enjoy it and please wait until it's done to pick-up your child. Thanks!!
Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, January 25th beginning with a potluck lunch immediately following worship.
This is the time that we take to review the past year’s work, show our appreciation to those who contributed to that work and make plans for the coming year. Your contribution is most important, please plan on attending. Bring your copy of the Annual Report to this meeting (found at the back of the Sanctuary or on the ramp). Highlight your report for anything you wish to have clarified or for which you wish to share comment.
Food contributions for the pot luck lunch will be as follows:
Ross Glen & Southridge – desserts
Crestwood, SE/SW Hill, Flats and
Crescent Heights – sandwiches (1/2 a loaf)
Others – pickles or any of the above
After Suicide Support Group is presenting a Hope & Healing session January 27th to March 24th, 2009. See bulletin board by Memorial Hall for more details.
Come and join Dr. Sue Higgins as she shares her experience as a trainee of Al Gore and his promotion of awareness of climate change on January 28th from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon or 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Birthdays: Beth Miner, Velma Pearson, Natalie Johnson, Adair Prouty, Larry Brown.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Kay Romeike and all moms ,by Dianne & Gordon Schneider.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers are requested this week for Brooks Pastoral Charge, Rev. Jeralyn Towne.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Joy Biko, Beth Miner,
........................................................................................................ Ken & Bev Empey
Acting Nursery Convenor................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Pat & Stan Bohnet
........................................................................................................ Lesley Berg, Sharon Clay
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Vicky Gunn
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Doug Pearson
Next Week’s Readings from: Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit;
good stewardship is practising good self-care.
by Sheila Campbell
Board Report if necessary
The Board fundraiser of a spaghetti dinner will be held Saturday, February 21st. Tickets to go on sale in the near future. Luyten hall has been rented to Cypress Montessori Preschool. Property is looking into the costs of having snow removed after heavy snowfalls. The Board expressed their thanks to John Sidlick for 6 years of dedicated service as a board member and chair of finance committee.
Faith Statements
Kara Anton
“Being raised in the United Church and actively involved through many of the years, I had always considered myself a member of the United Church family. Upon starting my own family and attending
Westminster United, I realized the importance of becoming a formal member. The adult confirmation classes, not only allowed me to become more familiar with Westminster Church itself, but with the many beliefs of the United Church. The time spent with James and the other members of the class reaffirmed my belief in the inclusiveness of the United Church family and made me proud to be a member of such a family.”
Stacey Oster
I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be joined with and confirmed into the United Church family at Westminster United Church. I have been very fortunate to see the character and faith of this church demonstrated to me by multiple generations of my family of origin. I believe these attitudes and behaviours are centered around the teachings of this church and are a very strong attraction. I look forward to graciously serving and attending Westminster church.
Dawn Skogen
Attending confirmation classes this fall was a very positive experience for me. Beyond the camaraderie and laughter we shared, it inspired a lot of deep thought and self assessment. I have come to understand that faith is a lifetime journey that I hope to constantly learn and grow on. I feel confident that the United Church is the place that I need to be to practice my faith.